FATES WARNING - Perfect Symmetry SEALED & AS NEW Original 1989 Vinyl LP is MINT

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FATES WARNING - Perfect Symmetry 

Vinyl LP original 1989 Metal Blade Records release

Sealed In original shrink wrapped plastic / As New - Promotional copy

Description:

This is Fates Warning fifth album. A classic progressive metal album in the original shrink wrapped plastic. Super rare in this condition.

From Allmusic:

This was the recording that established Fates Warning as a progressive band. Their metal influences still dominate the group's overall sound; however, Mark Zonder's unique approach to drumming adds another level of depth and credibility to the music. His double bass, odd-time introduction to "Part of the Machine" is the session's defining moment, "Through Different Eyes" is a catchy song that provides insight into the band's future pop/metal direction, and "Static Acts" still stands as one of the most aggressive songs the band ever recorded.

Ray Alder's aggressive singing has a genuine quality which allows him to legitimately convey his anger and pain without sounding clichéd. "A World Apart" is one of the weaker songs here; however, there is some impressive odd-metered drumming from Zonder. "At Fates Hands" has become one of the band's classic songs, and for good reason. The incorporation of the violin and piano provide a refreshing change from the overall metallic sound. While Alder and Zonder prove here that the band is capable of achieving many different moods and sounds, the instrumental section of the song reveals that both Jim Matheos and Frank Aresti are still dependent on their metal guitar style. The most powerful song in terms of lyrics, singing, and playing is "Nothing Left to Say," which stands as the band's high-water mark. An historic recording in the progressive metal genre.

(Review of album at end - below terms)

Songs:
Side 1

1.  Part of the Machine     6:15

2.  Through Different Eyes 4:22

3.  Static Acts 4:28

4.   A World Apart 5:03

Side 2

5.   At Fates Hands   6:59

6.   The Arena  3:18

7.   Chasing Time  3:38

8.   Nothing Left to Say 7:58

Ray Alder – lead vocals, background vocals

Jim Matheos – guitar

Frank Aresti – guitar, background vocals

Kevin Moore – keyboard

Mark Zonder – drums

Joe DiBiase – bass

Condition:

Record - New - Mint  - still sealed.

Album cover - Very Good, small promotional cut near top of spine. Some wear to top of spine. Still wrapped in original plastic shrink wrap. see photos. Ask any questions if you are concerned about condition of the cover. We want happy satisfied buyers.

TERMS

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Review from Metal Archives:

Fully stripped of John Arch and his influence that overwhelmed nearly half of "No Exit", the Fates Warning that still lives today started upon their uber-prog path with "Perfect Symmetry". They may have refined their melodic sense and sensibility on "Parallels" and caved in to their minimalist urges on "A Pleasant Shade Of Gray" but no set of songs speaks of their prog rock character as that found on "Perfect Symmetry". This is an essential album on the same mapping as Dream Theater's "Awake", Psychotic Waltz's "Into The Everflow" and the 'Ryche's "Operation: Mindcrime" but without the conceptual overbite. Giants of a genre, in other words. To credit it further, "Perfect Symmetry" has aged better than most. Its warmth of melody and abundance of nuance are things many metal makers still leap for and mostly find ultimately elusive. No Haken album for example, can compete with this. Not yet anyway. There's a genuine togetherness and spreading out that Fates Warning maintained in terms of flow and delivery, making these songs sound daunting and timeless in one fell swoop.

Ray Alder is at the helm of things and he sounds very much in charge - far from the screechy thing that almost killed "No Exit" and still years away from the pale charisma of latter days. He hits the highs with such drama and ease and his tone conveys warmth and wisdom, making even the most absurdly abstract lyric seem profound. Jim Matheos was always at his best with Frank Aresti by his side and together they deliver riff cycles that seem like sprawling towers. "Part Of The Machine" and "At Fates Hands" are magnanimous pieces immersed in a savage beauty of riff layering where nothing ever drifts into chaos yet the very premise of it is felt thunderously. The result is total euphoria for the discerning ear because of how much there is to peel off. Kevin Moore adds his touch of genius to the proceedings in songs that fit his somber inclinations than those of Dream Theater ever would.

Another key feature of this masterpiece that does indeed make it rather "perfect" is the control of mood. Like King Crimson and Yes before them, Fates Warning take a lot of time refining and emphasizing the mood around each song. Much of the melodic phrasing and rhythmic interchange is deliberately focused unto this purpose. "Nothing Left To Say" for example trudges on somberly as if playing to the void the lyrics speak of. There's a frantic urge to "Static Acts" and this atmosphere of tension is further heightened by Ray Alder's panicky screaming vocals. Heck, even "Part Of The Machine" begins with believable machine-like rattling. "Chasing Time" on the other hand does graceful to the hilt, completing its elegance with swelling violin to make a productively pensive piece even King Crimson would be proud to own. "Through Different Eyes" is one of the best songs the band ever wrote and its beauty lies in its terribly overwoven melodic sea that somehow flows into catchiness thanks to a searing chorus and its simple and conventional structure that bears all this complexity.

There's rarely a flaw on "Perfect Symmetry". Even when the boys do unhinged as on "The Arena" it comes off neat and precise. It is not a long album and yet it feels rich and abundant. There's depth and substance where most prog bands sacrifice that for technical gravitas, and nothing is rushed yet nothing is drawn out either. Balance is key and all instrumentalists display their genius from time to time - not once losing their footing within the song. "Parallels" in comparison sounds too treated and "No Exit" too bloated, leaving "Perfect Symmetry" the heart of prog-Fates Warning.